WAY TO GO, DALLAS: Tight end Dallas Clark practiced with the Ravens for the first time and immediately made a favorable impression. With Thursday's preseason game looming, it was a light practice in terms of competitiveness, but Clark had three touchdowns inside the 20, including one on the first pass quarterback Joe Flacco threw in a red-zone drill. On the second touchdown, Clark ran a sharp jerk route then faded toward the uprights to catch a touch pass from Flacco. On the third, he made an aaaaaaah-inspiring one-handed catch. It was just one practice, but Clark looked like he still has something to give, especially down near the goal line.

MORE SWEET FEET: New slot receiver Brandon Stokley appeared to be more comfortable than he did Monday during his first practice. And like Clark, he displayed some nifty route-running and made some plays in the red zone. Stokley is not the fastest guy around — nowhere near it, in fact — but he doesn't waste steps and gets open. It is easy to see why quarterback Peyton Manning had so much trust in him in Indianapolis and Denver.

WAITING FOR ELAM: We are now three weeks into camp and veteran James Ihedigbo has yet to relinquish his starting strong safety spot to first-round pick Matt Elam. Elam has not really stood out in a good way or in a bad way during camp, though he did impress in the preseason opener, particularly with his aggressive tackling. The Ravens aren't going to just hand the job to a rookie, regardless of when he was drafted, especially with a steady presence in Ihedigbo on the roster. Either way, though, Elam will have a significant role, perhaps as a jack of all trades in the secondary.

RAINEY'S ROLE: Running back Bobby Rainey became a camp sensation last summer with his pass-catching ability and return skills, but with Ray Rice in the backfield and Jacoby Jones returning kicks, there was no real role for Rainey. He has been quieter this summer, but the diminutive back can sometimes be mistaken for Rice when he darts from out behind the line. If his bubble bursts after the preseason, it wouldn't be surprising to see another team pick him up to be its third-down back.

RECALCULATING ROUTES: One way that coordinator Jim Caldwell has tweaked the offense is the addition of more horizontal routes that run across the field. He has also used more pre-snap motions, bunches and stacks to help his receivers get separation off the line. Throughout camp we have seen quick receivers like Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss snatch easy passes as a result.

BLOCKING FOR A JOB: It's going be interesting to see which young offensive linemen crack the roster, which ones make the practice squad and which are sent packing. The Ravens have some intriguing prospects in Rick Wagner, Jack Cornell, J.J. Unga and Jordan Devey, but there might only be a spot for one or two of them if the Ravens enter the season with nine linemen again.

MAKING NOISE: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs is no doubt the most talkative defender on the field every day, but second-year inside linebacker Nigel Carr might be a close second. He can often be heard screaming at himself, a teammate or no one in particular. So far, Carr has shown more bark than bite on defense, but he could make the team if he plays well on special teams.

INJURY REPORT:Ed Dickson (torn right hamstring) did not practice, but he was spotted on the field in shorts and a T-shirt before jogging slowly back inside the building. Offensive lineman Ramon Harewood (knee) and cornerback Chykie Brown (undisclosed) returned to practice after being held out Monday. Outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw was also back on the field after missing two practices for the birth of his child. Wide receivers Deonte Thompson (left foot) and Marlon Brown (knee), cornerback Chris Johnson (undisclosed), defensive end Marcus Spears (hamstring), and inside linebacker Jameel McClain (bruised spine) remain sidelined.

OVERHEARD: “As long as I don't look down, I’m still 44.” — Clark, who is wearing No. 87, when asked after practice if he tried to pry his old No. 44 away from fullback Vonta Leach.